Aspire to Lead

How are you using technology tools to empower students and give them ownership of their learning? This week’s guest, Debbie Tannenbaum, shares how educators can use technology tools to not only grow student achievement, but to TRANSFORM their own professional practices. In this episode, we also discuss: Creating Engaging Professional Development Fighting Fear of Technology And her new book, “TRANS...

School communities are full of people who have both the ability and desire to lead. Some lead without knowing it. Most lead without the recognition they deserve. Whether you lead in a classroom, department, building, or district, chances are you know how challenging it can be to identify and develop other strong leaders, and to grow the leadership capacity of your organization as a whole. This wee...

This week’s guest, Britney Wolf, shares her experience with Tourette Syndrome and how she is helping break the stigma of the disorder, providing awareness to educators, and motivating others to provide validation to those who have the disorder.  In this episode, we also discuss: Strategies for teachers to use in the classroom The difference between complex and simple tics And her upcoming book One...

What is the narrative of each student group represented on your campus?  This week’s guest, Charles Williams, shares his experiences as a student and how it inspired him to change the negative portrayals of the disenfranchised populations.  In this episode, we also discuss: Assessing Equity in Schools Inside the Principal’s Office And the Counter Narrative Podcast  About Charles Williams: Charles...

In this 24th Aspire Mailbag episode, Jeff Gargas, Brad Hughes, and I answer questions on different leadership topics provided by the listeners. Please join us for this episode as we answer questions on giving too much grace, finding our creative outlets, when are you ready to be promoted, and the latest news with the Teach Better Team! Featuring Brad Hughes, Jeff Gargas, and Joshua Stamper Brad Hu...

Do you see every interaction with students, staff, and parents as a gift?  This week’s guest, Livia Chan, shares how every interaction is an opportunity to uplift, inspire, encourage, and support others.  In this episode, we also discuss: Belief in Other People Maximizing Opportunities to Inspire Learning  And “Impact: The Power of Connected Leadership”  About Livia Chan: Livia Chan is Head Teache...

Education is a difficult field and many teachers don’t continue after three years in the classroom.  This week’s guest, Dr. Frank Rudnesky and Michelle Rispo Hill, share how to help new teachers, support veteran educators, and stay passionate in a long career.  In this episode, we also discuss: Creating a Positive School Culture How to Help the Teacher Shortage And Fired Up Teachership About Miche...

In reflecting about 2021, my favorite day was when Aspire to Lead launched. I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with the Teach Better Team about the different aspects of this educational leadership resource and where the idea came from.  In this Episode, we also discuss: The A.S.P.I.R.E. Model  Why I wrote this book and how it will help current and aspiring leaders Funny stories about the wri...

Most often, when restorative practices are discussed, it is described as a reactive measure to help students fix the harm that was caused . This week’s guest, Dr. Neil Gupta, shares how the most important steps in restorative practices are proactive practices to create a foundation of love and care.  In this episode, we also discuss: Creating Healthy Collaborative teams Mental Health for Staff and...

With the launch of The EduCulture Cookbook and Aspire to Lead , The Punk Rock podcasters joins me to share about leadership qualities and school culture. In this Episode, we also discuss: The Reflections Process as a Leader Finding our Identity And the “EduCulture Cookbook” and “Aspire to Lead” EduMatch Holiday Bundle: www.bit.ly/edumatchholiday About Michael Earnshaw : Michael Earnshaw, The Punk...

How can an instructional technology coach be utilized on a campus to enhance student achievement and staff development ?   This week’s guest, Jeff Bradbury, shares his instructional technology instructional roadmap to determine the effectiveness of an instructional coach department and to help with instructional practices.   In this episode, we also discuss: Lessons Learned as an Instructional Coa...

In your school or classroom, do your students have an opportunity to solve real life problems in their community ?   This week’s guest, Chelsea Nicolino, shares how she made a shift in her teaching to allow students to work at their own pace, partner with city leaders, and utilize the Grid Method.  In this episode, we also discuss: Assessing student mastery  Daily student check-ins And the Teach B...

Have you ever asked yourself, have I unlocked the potential that lies within myself?   This week’s guest, Maurice F Martin, shares how he overcame the hurdles that had been holding him back from healing, succeeding, and thriving in daily life. In this episode, we also discuss: Reflection and Learning Practices Self Help Strategies And his new book, Save the Day: Learning to Embrace Your Inner Hero...

Low teacher retention rates in schools negatively impact student achievement for all the students in a school, not just those in a new teacher’s classroom. This week’s guest, Dr. Joseph Jones and Dr. T.J. Vari, give precise strategies for motivating, inspiring, and energizing a staff.  In this episode, we also discuss: Leadership Qualities Needed in an Evolving Education Model Teacher Retention St...

This week’s guest, Trevor Timmerberg, shares how his experience in the military shaped his self discipline and changed his perspective on leadership. As a student who had labels placed on him, Trevor is determined to teach his students that mistakes don’t define who you are as a person.  In this episode, we also discuss: Cafeteria as a Temperature Check  Restorative Practices built on Relationship...

It’s time to leave behind practices that don’t best serve all learners and educators, and to prioritize what matters most: relationships, connection, purpose, flexibility, agency, and authentic learning. Education must evolve. Looking to learners will help us see what’s working, what’s challenging, and, ultimately, what’s possible. To ensure that all of those learners thrive, we’ll need to use ins...

After two years of new educational practices, are we trying to get back to normal or a way to get better? This week’s guest, Tom Burton, shares how going back to the way things were is not the best mindset. In his district, during the pandemic, they uncovered many inequitable practices that needed to be addressed and they are determined to find better practices moving forward.  In this episode, we...

Aspire to Lead with Empathy, Creativity, and Passion With the launch of my new book, Aspire to Lead , Evan Robb joins me to share about his author contribution. In this Episode, we also discuss: Activating and Taking Initiative The 10 Pillars of Leadership Delegation for Leadership Development About Evan Robb: Evan Robb is presently Principal of Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville, Virgin...

How do you define student engagement in your classroom? This week’s guest, Heather Lyon, shares a common understanding of what engagement looks and sounds like so that anyone can design and gauge instruction using this understanding. More importantly, with this knowledge, educators can make changes to instruction to truly increase student engagement.  In this episode, we also discuss: Grading prac...

Aspire Mailbag: New School Year Problems In this 23rd Aspire Mailbag episode, Jeff Gargas and I answer questions on different leadership topics provided by the listeners. Please join us for this episode as we answer questions on how to shift the mindset of educators on social emotional learning, how to lead when there are positions not hired, professional learning days, and the latest news with th...

Aspire to Lead with Empathy, Creativity, and Passion With the upcoming launch of my new book, Aspire to Lead , Allyson Apsey joins me to share about her author contribution. In this Episode, we also discuss: Creativity in Leadership 3 tools to use to enhance your creative ideas Confidence in leadership to be innovative About Allyson Apsey: Allyson Apsey has been an educator for more than twenty ye...

EduMatch Celebration for Aspire to Lead  On the day my new book, Aspire to Lead, launched, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Mandy Froehlick and Todd Nesloney about the different aspects of this educational leadership resource. Join us as we share some strategies, insights on leadership, and funny stories about the process.  In this Episode, we also discuss: The A.S.P.I.R.E....

Aspire to Lead with Empathy, Creativity, and Passion With the launch of my new book, Aspire to Lead, Jill Siler joins me to share about her author contribution on executing as a leader. In this Episode, we also discuss: The top ways we can execute in an interview Examples of what districts are looking for in a candidate Mistakes in the interview process About Jill Siler: Dr. Jill Siler has been se...

In this week’s episode, classroom teacher and edtech expert Jake Miller equips us to overcome the paradox of choice and select the right edtech tools for your classroom so you can start using them tomorrow. Jake offers anecdote-induced stories and explanations that actually make sense for all educators. In addition, we discuss comparisons of tools for formative assessment, student self-assessment,...

Aspire to Lead with Empathy, Creativity, and Passion With the upcoming launch of my new book, Aspire to Lead , Sarah Thomas joins me to share about her author contribution. In this Episode, we also discuss: Reflection as a Leadership Tool Blogging to gather feedback New projects by EduMatch About Sarah Thomas: I am a Regional Technology Coordinator in Prince Georges County, MD, and Affiliate Facul...